The American Diabetes Association's Standards of Care in Diabetes - 2026: key aspects for the internist's clinical practice.

Diabetes mellitus is a complex, chronic condition that has become a growing epidemic in recent years. It requires personalized medical care with strategies focused on reducing adverse outcomes beyond glycemic management. Internists play a key role in comprehensive diabetes management due to its multisystemic nature, cardio-reno-metabolic implications and associated comorbidities.

The American Diabetes Association's Standards of Care in Diabetes are landmark international clinical guidelines in diabetes management. This review aims to provide a practical overview of some important points of interest for internists from the recently published Standards of Care in Diabetes-2026. Several topics are highlighted, such as the glycemic goals and hypoglycemia, assessment of diabetes-related comorbidities, management of older adults, and diabetes care in the hospital.

Through coordination of multidisciplinary care and integration of preventive and therapeutic strategies, internists are essential in ensuring high-quality, patient-centered diabetes mellitus care.